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Underdogs Don't Hide Their Brands

Somedays we walk onto the field feeling like the underdog, where no one expects us to win - much less compete.

If you’ve been watching the World Cup soccer matches, the exhilaration of seeing a player or team come from behind is THE best feeling - The team’s colors, a player’s number, their amazing athleticism, everything about the BRAND of that underdog seers into our psyche.


I observe and participate in the fast moving “sport” of business. Whether I’ve been the star player (metaphorically), the coach, on the sidelines or cheering others on to victory, I’ve played almost all positions on the field.


Whether I’m feeling like an underdog or superhero, odds are my emotions and emotional well-being are fueling my inner super power to overcome odds that may appear to be against me succeeding. What appears to be a steep climb to success or a lost cause, is my opportunity to find an open or closed door. When I neglect my own vision of success, roadblocks in business send me back to the locker room defeated.


“Sometimes you can get swept up in what other people expect, and then you kind of lose your intrinsic you-ness.”

Quote from Milly Alcock, (New Woman of Steel ‘just that girl’ The Dallas Morning News, Lindsey Bahr, 5/3/2026)


When I use my inner voice to strengthen my resolve with words and phrases like “keep going. don’t give up. you got this. the world needs what you have to offer,” I tend to live in my best fairy tale, thrive in my own character and my own personal brand.

When I consulted AI, the world’s newest, smartest, scariest brand, ChatGPT told me:

“The most credible personal brands are created by the experiences that shape us. We may not choose everything we go through. But, we can decide how we grow through it—and what we build from what we have learned.” ChatGPT

Not bad, AI. I don’t disagree, but let’s go deeper. ChatGPT can’t take away real life experiences that shape who we are intrinsically. Claude cannot choose for you or me or decide what we go through. Only you and I and our very own human”instrinsic you-ness” can do that.

So I chose three (okay 3.5) questions to ask ourselves as we shape our own stories and forge forward in favor of our odds for success.

  • What meaning do I associate with my own brand and the life I am living?

  • What perspective have I gained that is unique to me and what have I learned from that perspective and what do I want to keep learning from it?

  • What story am I prepared to tell with clarity and intention that will inspire others?


Be Your Own Fairy Godmother….


Whoever came up with the symbolism behind apples (hint: it wasn’t AI), apples represent risk, alluring beauty, reward and conflict. You don’t have to travel to New York City to take a bite out of the Big Apple.


Apples are big in fairy tales, ancient fables and even in the Old Testament of the Bible. The apple can also remind us that we have choices, and we decide what to observe and what to bite into (or not).


In summary, the world needs you and your talents, underdog or not. Be your own Fairy Godmother #Neverstop. #BiteYourApple. And most importantly, if you have good intentions, like successful fairy tale characters (think Cinderella, the Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel) don’t hide your brand.

Let’s talk about your choices for your brand and how you write your next chapter.Are you watching the World Cup matches? Who is your favorite underdog? https://www.cinderellaceo.com/call-with-cary


With gratitude,

Cary Broussard, Author, From Cinderella to CEO


 
 
 

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